My historic meeting with Makoto could, for the most part, be considered to have ended smoothly.
I successfully achieved my initial objective. Although I now feel a bit of regret, I think it is not beyond remedy. In the end, it depends on Makoto's ability to execute.
However, looking at it from all angles, she has both ambition and talent for winning people over. If she truly possessed the means to turn her visions into reality, how could she have fallen into the predicament of being suppressed by her subordinates?
In any case, now that I understand Makoto more deeply, I realize she is not as unbearable as I first imagined. At the same time, I do not doubt in the slightest that she possesses some earth shattering wisdom.
To be safe, after ending the secret meeting with the Pandemonium Society's president and leaving their headquarters, I immediately informed Hina of part of the conversation through momotalk and offered my sincere apology.
I did not stop by in person. Going straight from the Pandemonium Society to the Prefect Team would inevitably invite misunderstandings... though they would not exactly be misunderstandings.
For some reason, I felt as if I were playing a double agent, or even someone deliberately trying to sow discord.
Since Hina is busy with work and rarely checks her phone, she naturally did not reply immediately.
Still, there is no rush. As long as she sees it within the next few days and keeps it in mind, that will be enough.
Thinking of how crowded Gehenna's student cafeteria would be at lunchtime, I regretfully gave up the idea of stopping by to greet Fuuka and Juri while solving my own lunch at the same time. Instead, I decided to head back and finish some Schale work before going to the Make-Up Work Club.
On the way back, I checked the authority I had newly obtained.
—
Solidify Authority: [Seven Heads, Ten Horns, Seven Crowns]
Description: The holder will gain permission to unlock more Divine Names.
Source: Hanuma Makoto successfully captured
—
In an instant, an indescribable sensation surged through my heart, then spread across my entire body. It felt as though something subtle had changed within me.
The feeling came quickly and left even faster, disappearing without a trace in the blink of an eye. When I tried to sense it again, it was as if nothing had happened at all.
But from the description of this authority alone, I could roughly understand the change it brought me.
...For now, though, it only looks good on paper.
I understand that obtaining more Divine Names must carry important significance.
Earlier, I had already wondered. The students are each born with only one halo. With my power coming from cards, would I be able to break through that limitation?
Now, I have a perfect answer. The upper limit of my future has been expanded. I can glimpse more possibilities. This authority is undoubtedly an indispensable cornerstone if I wish to climb higher.
But there is still a crucial prerequisite missing.
As for how to fulfill the other conditions required to forge a Divine Name, I still have no clue.
This situation, where the framework is built in advance yet cannot be filled to serve its intended function, resembles that Pandemonium Society president herself.
With a light sigh, I put away the card, cast aside unnecessary worries, and closed my eyes to rest on the train.
In the blink of an eye, it was afternoon.
Today's Make-Up Work Club activities were still proceeding smoothly.
Perhaps because the first makeup exam would be held the day after tomorrow, everyone's already ignited enthusiasm for studying had grown even stronger under a touch of tension.
And under Hanako's incisive guidance, the difficulties the other three encountered in their studies were generally resolved properly within a short time.
Watching everyone strive forward so diligently, I, who seemed to be of little use now, felt somewhat redundant.
But from another perspective, even if I simply sit here with my unparalleled good looks, those who admire me will engage in healthy competition and show their best sides in front of me.
Moreover, if Hanako had not been captivated by my beauty, she might still be slacking off, and would not be working this hard.
Thinking this way, I feel I have sacrificed far too much, and even slacking off feels more justified.
By slacking off, I mean secretly handling Schale's work while supervising the Make-Up Work Club.
Just as I was racking my brains for the peace and stability of Kivotos, the vibration of my phone interrupted my thoughts.
Hina had finally replied.
Hina: ...Hm?
Hina: Ah... I see.
Hina: Thank you for going to such trouble for my sake...
Hina: I am very grateful.
Me: Sorry, I should have told you beforehand.
Me: After doing it, I realized I might have made things worse instead.
Hina: You overstate it... It is not like that.
Hina: I was never interested in fighting for power to begin with...
Hina: And what it can affect is only the part where Makoto makes things difficult for me without reason.
Hina: If Makoto really restrains herself a bit, I might be able to breathe a little easier...
Hina: This is all thanks to you, Sensei.
Hina: Doing so much for me without my knowing, I truly am very grateful.
Reading Hina's messages, I could not help but recall a certain administrator who also poured her heart and soul into the Prefect Team president, only to end up being punished with writing a self reflection.
Perhaps this is simply a gap between species, one that is difficult to bridge.
Still...
Me: I did not cause you any trouble, right?
I was worried that perhaps Hina's high affection toward me was the only reason she was comforting me.
Hina: ...Actually, there is.
Hina: Sensei, this may be presumptuous of me to say.
Hina: Please be cautious when dealing with those old foxes in the Pandemonium Society.
Hina: You're a good adult, Sensei, but they might take advantage of that to achieve some unspeakable goal.
Thinking back, I wholeheartedly agree.
Just the delusion of monopolizing me alone is already enough to be called a grand conspiracy. It would not be impossible for it to ignite a full scale war in Kivotos.
Seen that way, Makoto truly is ambitious.
Me: I know. Don't worry.
Me: You should also be careful on your side.
Hina: Mm, alright.
Me: Also, as an apology gift, how about we go out together next time you are free?
Hina: ...Eh?
Hina: An apology gift...
Hina: I said you did nothing wrong.
Hina: ...
Hina: If you insist, I don't seem to have a reason to refuse.
Hina: But... when will I ever have time...?
Even through the screen, I could feel the girl's confusion.
Me: It's fine. I'll wait patiently and do my best to make time.
Hina: ...Mm.
Hina: Thank you.
With that, the conversation came to a temporary end. I was filled with anticipation for a date with Hina, even if it might require quite some time to wait.
But before that, today's Make-Up Work Club activities were about to end.
I might as well make a date with Hanako first and treat it as accumulating experience.